Traveling With A Sweet Tooth

You can take the girl out of town, but you can't take the sweet tooth out of the girl.  So, what's a traveler with a hankering for something sweet suppose to do??  Well, luckily USA Today came to the rescue recently with an article titled "10 great places to grab a gourmet cupcake".  And, these recommendations come from Justin Willman who is the host of Food Network's "Cupcake Wars" and "Cupcake Champions" so this man knows a good cupcake when he eats one!  So, pack your sweet tooth, grab a map and if you're lucky enough to be going to or through one of these cities, make a stop that will instantly satisfy that sweet tooth of yours!  Now isn't that sweet!?!

Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Cafe in St.Louis
www.jillyscupcakebar.com
Try the Reese's Chunkage, a half-pound treat filled with peanut butter mousse and chocolate fudge ganache, topped with peanut butter and chocolate butter cream, and finished with chunks of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Cupcake Royale in Seattle
www.cupcakeroyale.com
The bakery not only makes delicious cupcakes but is launching its own brand of ice cream, including several cupcakes and cream flavors, with pieces of cupcake hand-swirled in.

Baked by Melissa in New York
www.bakedbymelissa.com
This Manhattan bakery specializes in tiny half-dollar-size cakes that it ships across the country.  So you can take your memories and sweet tooth home with you after you've indulged in their cupcakes in their store.

Sweet!  By Good Golly Miss Holly in Orlando and Jacksonville
www.sweetbyholly.com
Chef Hollis Wilder is the first two-time winner on Cupcake Wars on Food Network.  Go by there and you'll see why....

Molly's Cupcakes in Chicago
www.mollyscupcakes.com
This Lincoln Park bakery serves up award-winning red velvet cupcakes and the cream cheese frosting reminds Willman of something "like your grandma would make in the Deep South".  Enough said!

Philly Cupcake in Philadelphia
www.phillcupcake.com
The cupcakes are displayed in vintage pink cabinets from a Victoria's Secret store and their menu includes vegan and gluten-free options that leave out milk and eggs without losing flavor.

Sprinkles Cupcakes in Los Angeles, Dallas, Georgetown, Houston, La Jolla, New York, Newport
Beach, Palo Alto, Scottsdale
www.sprinkles.com
The original Beverly Hills location now has what Willman calls "the world's first cupcake ATM" -- a vending machine that is stocked throughout the day with freshly baked offerings.

Crave Bake Shop in Lake Oswego, Oregon
www.cravebakeshop.com
Sinfully good cupcakes without all of the things that sinfully stir-up your allergies!

Isabelle's Curly Cakes in Boston
www.izzyscurlycakes.com
Willman had a hard time narrowing down to just one bakery in Boston, but figured that celebrity chef Todd English and his daughter have never failed him before so he went with this one.  Apparently, once he bit into the red velvet, triple chocolate and vanilla bean offering, he handed down a decisive vote for Izzys.

Of course, I have to add in a couple of my favorites as well.  And, I feel certain if Mr. Willman had an opportunity to stop at these places, he would agree with me.

Georgetown Cupcake in Washington, D.C., Bethesda, New York, Boston, Los Angeles
www.georgetowncupcke.com
In Washington, D.C. you might think there had been a President sighting, but no,  it's just a crowd lining up to get ahold of one of these delicious, creamy and oh-so-good cupcakes!

Hey Cupcake! in Austin (4 locations), San Marcos and Dallas (coming soon)
www.heycupcake.com
There is just something special about eating the Michael Jackson (cream cheese topping with chocolate cake) at the original location on South Congress out of their food truck that makes you start moon walking.


                                               WISHING YOU SWEET TRAVELS!

                                                                TRAVEL M GIRL